In May 1982, Marines of the 32d Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU) embarked on ships of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 4 for a routine six-month Mediterranean float that included a contingency mission that...

Editor’s Note: This article is an excerpt from Eric Hammel’s book “Coral and Blood: The U.S. Marine Corps’ Pacific Campaign.” At the start of the war in Europe in September 1939, the strength of the...

“Crossing Phase Line Red,” Aidan instructed over the company net, not completely certain that there was anyone there to receive it. Mack Prophet had an affinity for making sure that everyone knew he...

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Leatherneck Lingo

The Thin Line of Tradition

The traditions of the Marine Corps, its history, its flags, its uniforms, its insignia—the Marine Corps way of doing things—make the Corps what it is [and set it distinctively apart from other military organizations and services].

These traditions give the Marine Corps its flavor, and are the reason why the Corps cherishes its past, its ways of acting and speaking, and its uniforms. These things foster the discipline, valor, loyalty, aggressiveness, and readiness, which make the term " 'Marine' … signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue."

One writer on Marine traditions nailed down their importance in [the following] words: "As our traditions, our institutions, and even our eccentricities—like live coral—develop and toughen, so the Corps itself develops and toughens."

And remember: whenever the Marine Corps is impoverished by the death of a tradition, you are generally to blame. Traditions are not preserved by books and museums, but by faithful adherence on the part of all hands—you especially.

—"The Marine Corps Officer's Guide," 1964 edition

We are sure you have more leatherneck lingo to add to what is listed here or a definition that you think improves on one already listed. By all means send them to us with your sources. If we use the information, we will give you credit next to the definition(s).

Marine air-ground task force—a reservoir of combat capabilities made up of a command element, combat service support element, aviation combat element and ground combat element. The smallest is a MEU and largest is a MEF.

The CO of a ship's Marine detachment. On a ship there can be only one captain among her officers and that's the captain of the ship. Consequently, the CO of the Marine detachment, usually a Marine captain, is called a major. Provided by Maj Rick Spooner, USMC (Ret), former ship's MarDet commander.

General Wallace M. Greene Jr., 23rd Commandant of the Marine Corps, forbade the practice of suffixing the unnecessary word "hours" after each indication of time of day. This is another Army usage. Say or write "1200," never "1200 hours."

Marine lieutenants, CWOs and warrant officers were at one time addressed as mister. Naval officers with the rank of lieutenant commander or below. Women officers are addressed as ma'am. Women Marine lieutenants and warrant officers technically may be addressed as miss or misses, but the terms may seem too civilian with today's women officers. Caution and good judgment are paramount.

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